How to Feed a Lactating Cat

Caring for newborn kittens is a challenging time in the life of a mother cat. While nursing, she will need to eat at least two times the amount of food she ate before giving birth. Lactating cats require high quality nutrition to produce enough milk to feed the kittens until they are old enough to eat solid food. The weaning process typically begins when kittens are around four weeks old, and is completed when they reach eight to 10 weeks.

Things You'll Need

  • High quality wet or dry kitten food
  • Water
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Instructions

    • 1

      Feed the lactating mother a high quality wet or dry kitten food two to three times a day. Offer as much food as she wants at each feeding, and place a full bowl of food out in the evening so she can eat overnight.

    • 2

      Provide access to fresh water at all times.

    • 3

      Offer the kittens wet or dry kitten food when they are three to four weeks old. If feeding dry food, moisten the food with water. As the kittens begin to wean, the mother cat will gradually need less food.